Ficus carica L.
Moraceae
- Fig
- Fig Tree
- teen تين
- פִיקוּס הַתְּאֵנָה
- fiqus ha-te'ena
Tree
- Disturbed habitats
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Ficus carica L.
System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dermatological | Baldness |
Hair restorer | Prepare compress of leaves; wet in "qutran" (Pix liquida liquid tar is a dry distillation of various pine woods). (Admin. not specified.) |
Leaf | Z |
Dermatological | Eczema |
Anti-inflammatory | Use latex.(Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Latex | Z |
Dermatological | Mycosis (fungal infection) |
Anti-fungal | Obtain latex/ juice by squeezing fresh plant parts & unripe fruit & apply to skin. |
Aerial parts, Fruit, Latex | Z |
Dermatological | Psoriasis |
Anti-inflammatory | Obtain latex/ juice by squeezing fresh plant parts & unripe fruit; use it to make a dough with barley flour & apply as compress. |
Aerial parts, Fruit, Latex | Z |
Dermatological | Scabies |
Scabicide | Obtain latex /juice by squeezing fresh plant parts & unripe fruit; use it to make a dough with barley flour & apply as compress. |
Aerial parts, Fruit, Latex | Z |
Dermatological, Ritual /Ceremonial | Warts |
Anti-Infective | 1. Spread latex from fresh plant & unripe fruit onto wart.(Z) |
Aerial parts, Branch /twig, Fruit, Latex, Stem (milky sap) | Z, B |
Endocrine/Metabolic | High cholesterol |
Hypocholesterolemic | Decoct leaves & drink 3 cups x 2/day. |
Leaf | B |
Gastrointestinal | Aid digestion |
Stomachic | Eat (dried) fruit |
Fruit | B |
Gastrointestinal | Chronic constipation/ regulate bowel movements |
Laxative | 1. Eat (dried) fruit alone |
Fruit | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Chronic stomach ache |
Carminative | Mix dried, powdered leaves + boiled honey + soft-boiled egg & eat mornings. |
Leaf | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Constipation |
Laxative | Eat fruit. |
Fruit | B |
Gastrointestinal | Diarrhea |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal | Boil dried fruit in water & drink x3 cups /day. |
Fruit | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Diuretic |
Diuretic | Decoct dried fruit & drink all day instead of water. |
Fruit | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Kidney stones |
Anti-lithic | Decoct leaves & drink 1 cup x /2day. |
Leaf | B |
Opthalmic | Eye disease |
Non-specific | Massage eyes with fig leaves (See CAUTIONS), then spread almond oil & a compress of chamomile flowers. |
Leaf | Z |
Oral Health | Toothache |
Analgesic | 1. Apply latex (milky fluid) from unripe fruit onto tooth. |
Latex, Leaf | Z |
Respiratory | Asthma |
Anti-asthmatic | Decoct leaves & drink 2 cups x2/day. |
Leaf | B |
Respiratory | Cough/ soften throat |
Anti-tussive, Demulcent | 1. Decoct dried fruit in water & drink x3 cups/day. |
Fruit | Z |
Venoms, Bites & Stings | Scorpion sting |
Anti-venom | Obtain latex/ juice by squeezing fresh plant parts & unripe fruit & apply to sting. |
Aerial parts, Fruit, Latex | Z |
Women`s Health | Exhaust (stop) menstrual flow |
Emmenagogue | Decoct dried fruit in water & drink 1 full glass x3/day. |
Fruit | Z |
Women`s Health | Induce abortion |
Abortifacient | Decoct dried fruit in water & drink x1 full glass of decoction while sitting in hot bath for 15 min. |
Fruit | Z |
Women`s Health | Stop uterine haemorrhage |
Haemostatic | Heat powdered dried fruit in oven, wrap in gauze to make vaginal suppository & insert. |
Fruit | Z |
Wound Healing | Burn from sun or fire |
Vulnerary | Mix latex of unripe fruit + barley flour & apply to burned area. |
Latex | Z |
Wound Healing | Soften & open a closed lesion/ open & dry-up a suppurative lesion |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | 1. Apply leaves as compress on closed lesion to soften & open it. |
Leaf | Z |
Other Uses
Ficus carica L.
System/State | Complaint / Use | Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cosmetic | Dye hair black |
Dye | Cook leaves of black figs + black mulberries + vine leaves & use to wash hair. |
Leaf | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The latex is a milky juice which is part of the sap, & is a natural sticky polymer exuding from different plant parts containing various phytochemicals etc.
The latex (milky exudate) of Ficus carica can cause conjunctivitis if in contact with eyes & phytophotodermatitis, a potentially serious skin inflammation after exposed to ultraviolet light. Psoralens in figs in very high doses is reported to cause photodermatitis in preganacy.